The Steve Smith explosion.(Stephen Smith)

American Journalism Review,  April, 2006  by Reid, Robin T.

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After two decades in journalism, Stephen Smith decided in 1991 that it was time to change his byline. He added his middle initial, G, to a story he'd written for The New Yorker, to distinguish himself from other men who had the same name.

Fifteen years later, Smith, 57, now the Houston Chronicle's Washington bureau chief, says there are so many Steve Smiths out there that maybe he should have added his entire middle name, Grant.

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"I went through the first 35 years of my life meeting only one other Steve Smith, at a swim meet when I was 13 years ...

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